Sugar Ray Leonard vs Floyd Mayweather (Welter)

[NazNaci1]

I read in some of my older Boxing News and Ring magazines, where Mayweather bodly pronounced that Sugar Ray couldnt/wouldnt have been able to live him in his prime, if they ever fought.

As someone who has seen both in their primes, I am just wondering what planet Mayweather is on to think this????

Ray more than matches Mayweather for speed (his handspeed was BLAZING tbh), and skills and could definatley punch alot harder than often given credit for, His chin was rock solid too.

Ray by UD.

Dont get me wrong Mayweather is a fine fighter, but not at a level of a peak SRL.

[alexpaterson]

I dont know i think it could be close cause when SRL goes around the ring PBF would close it down and catch him i think UD for PBF if he got his gameplan spot on if not SRL would catch him

[Goodnight, Irene]

I disagree Mayweather isn't in Leonard's class, talent-wise. Obviously, he doesn't have the same competition, but few do, really. The size disparity doesn't help Mayweather, but he adjusted to 147lbs. quite well, even if he is hampered by not having fought a few of his most pressing challenges at this weight.

I think the equally-capable, naturally-bigger Leonard, who bested better competition & who, unlike Mayweather, peaked at Welter, deserves the benefit of the doubt here. It's a close decision for Leonard. If Mayweather is on-song, though, you're crazy not to think he can't compete with --- possibly beat, too --- Leonard.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

I dont know i think it could be close cause when SRL goes around the ring PBF would close it down and catch him

- Now there's a gameplan Mr. Money would purchase, lock, stock and barrel.

Ray tries to run and hide like he did Marvin, only Mr. Money is lightning fast on the spot before Ray hit hits and opens up with lightning fast flurries landing like locomotives on Ray's sagging carcass that Marv could only dream of.

Finally a mighty Mr. Money uppercut on the ropes lifts Ray's cold lifeless corpse over the ropes and deposits him on top of the ring card girls waiting for the bell. Mayhem breaks out when Angelo is intercepted going to Ray's assistance as crazy Uncle Rog seizes him and starts throttling him until security pulls him off and restores order.

Meanwhile one of the ring girls happens to have passed her EMS certification and revives Ray who is smitten to the point of spontaneous proposal. They get married, Ray retires happy and fat, and Mr. Money goes down as the best 'rassler and boxer in history and retires to the mansion complex he buys from Bill Gates which he promptly papers over in money.

Just let me now when and where, and I'm sorted for the rest of the millennium.

[elmersalsa]

Leonard by decision...PBF at least would do better than his father.

[Seamus]

Beating Judah, Baldomir and Hatton just doesn't stack up to beating Benitez, Duran and Hearns. SRL by a very clear decision over 12. Everything PBF does well at 147, Ray does better. The real question would be whether Floyd could make it through 15.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Mayweather is a poor man's Leonard. SRL had greater handspeed, better footwork and a killer instinct few fighters have. I think SRL is one of the few people in history who could stop Mayweather.

But lets not forget that Leonard is a natural welter, while Floyd is really a natural lightweight. I don't see Mayweather overcoming his physical disadvantages to beat SRL. Leonard at welterweight was a beast who would fare well against anyone historically

You think Mayweather's best division was Lightweight!? What'd he do so grand there? It's more like Jr. Light, for him.

[HomicideHenry]

As much as I hate Leonard, I'd have to root for him on this one, as much as it pains me to do it. I absoloutely hate the asshole, but I'd want him to clean Mayweather's clock.

[Collins2000]

As much as I hate Leonard, I'd have to root for him on this one, as much as it pains me to do it. I absoloutely hate the asshole, but I'd want him to clean Mayweather's clock.

Rufus, what is it you hate about Leonard & Mayweather?

[Ezzard]

With the change in weigh in times I don’t think there’s much of a size difference in this one.

Ray will be the aggressor. I think Floyd has the better defence, Ray superior power and offence. Ray liked to bounce around and pick his moment to plant his feet and throw combos. Often starting and ending these with a left hook. Mayweather is generally more cautious and ready to counter. Both men could change tactics in a fight to suit. With Leonard it was usually more about his mental strength, tenacity and determination to walk through fire to win. Floyd’s adjustments are usually more technical.

The main issue is that Leonard has comparable opponents and has responded to adversity. Floyd struggled with an aged DLH who was the closest in ability.

After a short feeling out period I can imagine something similar to Leonard-Benitez in terms of action.

I think the fight plays out with Leonard taking an early lead. Floyd makes adjustments and pegs him back and then in the championship rounds Leonard edges ahead. At this moment Floyd either goes for broke and gets stopped or he minimises Leonard’s attack and loses a close but clear decision. I’m thinking 9-6 or 10-5 in rounds.

Interesting to think how Mayweather matches up with more recent ‘greats’ and ‘goods’ at 147. Hearns, Duran, Benitez, Curry, Trinidad, Whittaker, DLH at his peak… Napoles, Griffith…throw Pryor in there…

I think Hearns and Curry have great styles to defeat/stop Floyd.

I think mayweather beats Benitez, Trinidad and Pryor.

I’d imagine Griffith and Whittaker to out-Mayweather Floyd Mayweather.

Duran and Napoles have styles that would mesh nicely in a fight with Floyd and would give us exciting bouts.

[Robinson]

This is a good fight. I can not put my finger on how it will play out.
It will be pretty fun.

Pernell Whitacker is some one who I would love to see fight both
these guys also best for best.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Leonard ain't the best at hitting moving targets. Pegging Mayweather down would be more difficult than some here are imagining.

[dempseyfire]

Leonard ain't the best at hitting moving targets. Pegging Mayweather down would be more difficult than some here are imagining.

But that doesn't matter. I don't envision some sort of thriller, especially in the first 6-7 rounds . . .Floyd may be able to look good defensively at spots but vs Leonard his OFFENSE will be sporadic at best. Floyd at 147 is very conservative and he picks his shots sparingly. That works vs a Baldomir but not at all vs a prime Ray Leonard. Ray will be winning rounds with his flurries and by firing more punches.

In a 15 round fight I see Floyd starting to get hit with some hard shots late and Ray is the much bigger puncher at 147.

[ghoster]

First Sugar Ray is a welterweight and Mayweather was untested at that weight. Benitez was every bit the defensive fighter Mayweather was and Ray's speed and boxing ability overcame that.
Ray before his retirement fought all comers and styles, while Mayweather made a career of carefully picking opponents. Could you imagine Ray Leonard passing on the first bout with Hearns because Hearns was too big?

[Goodnight, Irene]

First Sugar Ray is a welterweight and Mayweather was untested at that weight. Benitez was every bit the defensive fighter Mayweather was and Ray's speed and boxing ability overcame that.
Ray before his retirement fought all comers and styles, while Mayweather made a career of carefully picking opponents. Could you imagine Ray Leonard passing on the first bout with Hearns because Hearns was too big?

The cut crippled Benitez's chances. No rematch took place, either.

[Robinson]

Benitez was always entertaining in his fights. I have to watch more
of him.

[Diamond WEAPON]

Leonard was a champion from 147-168, Mayweather was a champ from 130-154, it's about as simple as that, given their similarly top levels of talent. Leonard would be too big and too strong for Mayweather. He's just as fast but definitely more powerful than Floyd, and he'd win a wide decision over him.

[I Feel Fine]

Even if they were the same size Leonard would still beat him. Leonard was better in the first place, let alone the size advantage. Mayweather was pudgy at 154, which was only Leonard's second weight class.

[Grimm]

Even if they were the same size Leonard would still beat him. Leonard was better in the first place, let alone the size advantage. Mayweather was pudgy at 154, which was only Leonard's second weight class.

Pudgy?

Word?

[I Feel Fine]

Look at him, he's bordering on obesity...


Yes, clearly I will retract the word pudgy... I think I was trying to illustrate that in my view 154 was definitely the highest he could have gone and remained a great opponent. I think most people would agree that going any higher would have been a big mistake. 160 would have been quite a stretch. Leonard looked perfectly fine at 160 against Hagler, and looked alright at 168 considering he was towards the end of his career.

But, yes, pudgy is not the right word... to say the least... I've only seen the fight once, to be fair, but I do remember feeling that he looked a tad over his natural size. He looked better at 140, 147.

[Idisagree]

Mayweather will lose this fight close but he will surely lose this fight. If a rusty well past his prime DLH did such a close fight, well just use your imagination. Leonard was just too good at welter.